NFL Draft: Three Possible Trade-Downs for Atlanta
The Atlanta Falcons are gearing up for a successful offseason. What might it look like if Atlanta chose to trade down in the NFL Draft?
The Atlanta Falcons General Manager Thomas Dimitroff has had a long recorded history in the draft for trading up to get the players that the organizations feels is the best fit, regardless of the round or needs at other positions.
Of course the most noticeable trade in the Dimitroff-era was the 2011 draft day trade with the Cleveland Browns to move up 21 spots to select all-pro receiver Julio Jones.
The trade proved to be Dimitroff’s most daring transaction in his tenure as the general manager after giving Atlanta’s first-, second-, and fourth-round picks for that same draft year along with a first- and fourth-rounder In the 2012 draft.
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At times, Dimitroff’s aggressive actions to move up in the draft has paid off in dividends but history shown that Dimitroff is cautious of trading down from picks especially during the first two rounds.
On the contrast, Dimitroff has never been in a position where the roster isn’t filled with noticeable holes at various positions and the idea of trading down to collect more draft picks has been an option.
While getting prepared for the 2018 draft, Dimitroff and head coach Dan Quinn faces a small dilemma in weighing value against projection when addressing the team’s needs particularly the interior defensive line.
Sitting at the 26th overall pick, Atlanta has the option of siting and grabbing the best available interior pass-rusher but with only six draft picks in this year’s draft along with contract extensions glooming on the horizon for many players, it would be wise to take in consideration of trading down.
So the only question that rises is which franchise behind the Falcons’ 26th pick would be willing to make a reasonable trade that would leave Atlanta in a better position to add valuable depth.
Let’s take a look at some possible trade down scenarios for the Falcons.